Rtm,rtw,ga and other software version number detailed

All along, for the novice, the version number of the software is a more troubling question, what beta, RC, and then a RTM, RTW .... Big head, huh? What is the difference between RTM and RTW? Let's take this opportunity to give you a little bit of knowledge about this.

1. What are the versions of software development?

*pre-alpha: Compared to Alpha and beta, this version of the feature is not even perfect, just a prototype, just for the initial test
* Alpha Version: This version indicates that the software is mainly used for software functions in this phase, usually only within the software developers, generally speaking, this version of the software has more bugs and needs to be modified.
* Beta version: This version of the Alpha version has been a great improvement, eliminating serious errors, but there are still some shortcomings, need to undergo a number of tests to further eliminate, this version of the main changes to the software like the UI.
* RC Version: This version is quite mature, there is basically no error caused by the bug, and the upcoming release of the official version of the same.
* Release version: This version means "final version", after a series of beta versions of the previous version, there will eventually be a formal version, a version that is used by the final delivery user. This version is sometimes referred to as the Standard Edition. In general, release does not appear as a word on the software cover, instead of the symbol (R).

2. What versions are available when the software is released?

is a few milestone versions of the software development and release process, and the release version can be divided into the following versions as the last phase:

RTM:Release to manufacturing or release to marketing abbreviation, foreign media industry is accustomed to call "going gold". Before the retail store shelves, is it necessary for a period of time to film, packaging, distribution? So the program code must be completed before the official release, the completion of the program code is called Final.code, after the development of the program code, to send the master film to the factory a large number of tablets, this version is called the RTM version. So, the RTM version of the program code must be the same as the official version. But the official version also has a different place: such as the official version of the OEM can not upgrade the installation, the upgrade version of the new installation will check the old operating system CD, etc., these are the RTM and the official version of the difference, but their main program code is the same. Strictly speaking, this version is still part of the retail version and needs to be activated.

GA: General availability, the software has completed the necessary business activities, such as promotion, advertising and so on. At this point, the software can already be released through the CD or the network. According to convention, the interval between RTM and GA is generally 1 weeks-1 months or so.

Boxed Copy (boxed): the software is suppressed into a CD-ROM and packaged in a well-designed box.

RTW: Release to the web abbreviation, at this time the software will be published through the network, for example, in the Microsoft Download Center to provide download. No items such as discs will be generated during this process.

3. What is wave?

In addition, the release of SP service packs, such as Vista SP1 and SP2, is often distributed as a split wave (wave), and is mainly distinguished by language:

Wave0: five languages including English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish

Wave1: generally includes 36 other languages including Simplified Chinese

It seems that so many, if there are omissions and errors, welcome to add and correct.

Rtm,rtw,ga software version number, etc.